Project: National Highway Sector Development Project
Environmental Impact Assessment
Client: Asian Development Bank
Location: Sri Lanka
Type of Project: Environmental Impact Analysis
Start: 2005
The Karuwalagaswewa (Tabbowwa) wildlife sanctuary is in
Sri Lanka’s North Western Province and was created to encompass
traditional elephant migration paths which cross the existing A012
road. The project road is the western 70km stretch of the A012 from
Puttalam to Anuradhapura.
 Tabbowa elephant sanctuary crosses A012
 Elephant skulls at Tabbowa
David Green provided Rapid Environmental Assessment and an
Environmental Impact Assessment according to the ADB Environmental
Assessment Guideline 2003 required because around 8km of the road
passes through the elephant sanctuary.
Tasks also included a review of the feasibility and detail design
report and review of the IEE report, to identify additional information
needed for the EIA with particular regard to ecological data from the
wildlife sanctuary (e.g. coverage protected species, vegetation, bird
migration etc.).


Tabbowa Tank - Fishermen and electrified fence - human elephant conflict
Systematic consultation with affected people on the route identified
general support for the road but concerns about human elephant conflict.
 Consultation local settlement - July 2005
 Town consultation meeting - August 2005
Environmental impacts on sensitive locations such as temples and
schools were avoided by recommendations to fine tune the alignment and
designs for the improvement works. Impacts within the sanctuary were
moderated by recommendations for traffic calming, provision of
alternative watering holes and control of the human elephant
interface. Detailed assessment of the potential impacts enabled
the completion of a thorough environmental management plan matrix with
practical mitigation measures worked out in consultation with wildlife
authorities and local affected people. Environmental management
and monitoring plans were included.


Bypass alternative routes for Puttalam town were also reviewed.
David Green also took part in the consultation mission advising on all
aspects of the Environmental Management Program. |